ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Union Health Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as Chairperson of Stop TB Partnership Board
Re-iterates commitment to fulfil Prime Minister’s Dream of TB Free India by 2025
Acknowledges the contributions of outgoing Chairperson Dr. Harsh Vardhan
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Shri Mansukh Mandaviya took over charge as the Chairperson of Stop TB Partnership Board today.
The Minister will hold the responsibility with immediate effect until 2024. He will lead the efforts of the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat, partners, and the TB community at large, towards reaching the UN TB targets by 2022, a milestone moment in the effort to end TB by 2030.
Shri Mandaviya said on the occasion: "I am honored to take the Chair of the Stop TB Partnership Board and thus secure continuation of the commitment to global efforts to end this devastating disease worldwide by 2030. I look forward towards working with the Stop TB Partnership Board and Secretariat in leading the efforts to end TB.” He reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s commitment to end TB in the country by 2025 on the occasion.
He also expressed his gratitude to outgoing Chair of Stop TB Board, former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan and appreciated the initiatives taken by the partnership under his guidance.
The Stop TB Partnership also welcomed the incoming Board Vice-Chair Mr. Austin Arinze Obiefuna, Executive Director of Afro Global Alliance - who was earlier the Board Member representing the biggest constituency on the Stop TB Partnership Board, Developing Country NGOs. He will take over as the Board Vice-Chair from 1st January 2022 for a period of three years.
Dr. Lucica Ditiu, Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership acknowledging India’s efforts to eliminate TB said that the new leadership’s experience, and passion will be instrumental in taking the organisation forward in the next three years.
Ministry of Railways
Improvement in Productivity in Indian Railways
There has been a continuous endeavor on part of the Railways to optimize and reduce the costs and further improve all productivities. As a result of various measures taken in this regard, the Railways have been able to substantially control the growth of Ordinary Working Expenses during the current fiscal so far. Apart from this, austerity and economy measures are being regularly enforced in Railways in order to ensure savings in the operating expenditure.
The steps taken by the Ministry of Railways to optimize and reduce the costs are as under:
- Tight monitoring and control over expenditure in areas such as fuel/power consumption, contractual payments, purchase of materials etc.
- Energy audit of major load centres, effecting savings in electricity bills through purchase of power by railways as “distribution licensee”.
- Prioritization of expenditure on works/activities for better use of available resources.
- Improvement in Manpower productivity.
- Improvement in asset utilization by taking innovative measures and best practices available.
- Improvement in inventory management.
- Reducing the cost of operation and maintenance of rolling stock.
The operational cost of the railway since March 2020 to February 2021 is Rs. 1,34,361 cr .
Railway has played an important role during the current pandemic situation. During the lockdown period, the freight services of the railways have run in full swing transporting the essential commodities like foodgrains, coal, medicine etc. and ensuring the supply chains across the country. Further, Sharmik special trains were also run to move over 6.3 million stranded persons as per the demand of various State Governments. In the post lockdown phase, the passenger services are being progressively resumed as per demand, suggestions and requirements of State Government and COVID protocol.
Capital Outlay for 2021-22 has been fixed at an all time high of Rs. 2,15,058 crore. The thrust of the Budget is on infrastructure development, throughput enhancement, development of terminal facilities, augmentation of speed of trains, signalling systems, improvement of passengers/users’ amenities, safety works of road over/under bridges etc. Focused allocation has been made for New Lines, Gauge Conversion, Doubling, Electrification Projects, Rolling Stock, Road Over/Under Bridges, Track Renewal, Passenger Amenities, Investment in Public Sector Undertaking/Joint Venture/Special Purpose Vehicles and Metropolitan Transport Projects. This will propel the Railways into fast track development of infrastructure and capacity enhance for laying foundation of future ready Railways.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Election Commission
Bye Elections to the Council of States from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
There are two casual vacancies in the Council of States each from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar as detailed below:
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State
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Name of Members
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Reason
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Date of vacancy
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Term Up to
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UttarPradesh
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Sh. Arun Jaitley
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Death
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24.08.2019
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02.04.2024
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Bihar
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Sh. Jethmalani Ram Boolchand
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Death
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08.09.2019
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07.07.2022
The Commission has decided to hold bye-elections to the Council of States from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to fill up the above said vacancies in accordance with the following schedule for each of the vacancies -
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Sl.No.
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Events
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Dates and Days
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1.
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Issue of Notifications
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27th September, 2019 
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2.
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Last Date of making nominations
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4th October, 2019 
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3.
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Scrutiny of nominations
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5th October, 2019 
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4.
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Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
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9th October, 2019 
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5.
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Date of Poll
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16th October, 2019 
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6.
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Hours of Poll
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9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
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7.
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Counting of Votes
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16th October, 2019  at 5.00 p.m.
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8.
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Date before which election shall be completed
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18th October, 2019 
SBS/MR/AC
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Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of PM speech at the India-Netherlands Virtual Summit
Excellency,
Greetings and thank you very much for sharing your thoughts.
Your party has achieved its fourth consecutive major victory under your leadership. I had immediately congratulated you on Twitter for the same, but today as we are meeting up virtually, I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate you once again and wish you all the best!
Excellency,
Our relations are based on shared values like democracy and the rule of law. Our approach towards global challenges like climate change, terrorism, pandemics is also the same. Convergence is also emerging on our thoughts about new areas like Indo-Pacific resilient supply chains and Global Digital Governance. Today, we will give a new dimension to this bond with our Strategic Partnership on Water. The establishment of a fast track mechanism for promoting investment will also add new momentum to our strong economic cooperation. I am confident that in the post-Covid period many new opportunities will open up in which like-minded countries like ours can increase mutual cooperation.
Excellency,
The visit of Their Majesties to India in 2019 has given a boost to India-Netherlands relations. I believe that today our Virtual Summit will add further momentum to the relations.
Excellency,
Just as you mentioned about the Indian diaspora, it is true that a large number of people of Indian origin are living there in Europe, but I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the care and concern that you have shown to the people of Indian origin in this corona period, in this pandemic. We will also get the opportunity to discuss various issues during the COP-26 as well as the India-EU summit with the European Union.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.
Ministry of Defence
Upgrading obsolete Technology in Aircrafts
The contract for upgradation of AN-32 aircraft with Ukraine has not been terminated and 15 AN-32 aircraft have already been upgraded at 1 BRD, Kanpur.
Out of 105 AN-32 aircraft planned for upgradation, 55 aircraft have been upgraded – 40 aircraft at Kiev, Ukraine and 15 aircraft at 1 BRD, Kanpur. Upgradation of the remaining aircraft is planned in a phased manner depending upon the supply of mod kits by Ukraine.
Equipment fitted on AN-32 aircraft are functional and serviceable on all aircraft that are flying. All transport aircraft in IAF cleared for flying are fully airworthy.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Prof. M.V. Rajeev Gowda in Rajya Sabha today.
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Ministry of Home Affairs
NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of media reports about the death of four accused in Telangana rape and murder case in a police encounter; orders for spot inquiry by its investigation team
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that the four accused, arrested by the police in connection with the rape and murder of veterinarian doctor in Telangana, have died in an encounter with the police at 3:00 AM this morning. As per reports, all four accused, were taken to the scene of the crime around 60 Km from Hyderabad for a re-construction as part of the investigation. As per police version, one of the accused signaled to the others, possibly to escape and they tried to snatch weapons from the police personnel when the police fired on them and they died allegedly in cross firing.
The Commission is of the opinion that this matter is required to be probed very carefully. Accordingly, it has asked its Director General  to immediately send a team for a fact finding on the spot investigation into the matter. The team of the Investigation Division of the Commission headed by an SSP, is expected to leave immediately and submit their report, at the earliest.
The Commission has already taken cognizance of the increasing cases of rapes and sexual assault on women across the country and a detailed report has been called for from the all State governments and police heads as well as from the Union Ministry of Women & Child Development. A number of such cases including the Telangana case had forced the Commission to intervene into the matter.
The Commission has already expressed its view that there is lack of “Standard Operating Procedure” to immediately respond to the panic situations by the police authorities. The Commission has been insisting upon all law enforcing agencies to keep human rights angle in their view while dealing with the persons arrested by them or being kept in their custody. The right to life and equality before law are the basic human rights recognized and granted by the Constitution of India.
Ministry of Railways
The timings of ൂൈദdaily trains permanently revised with effect from 14th April, 2022.
1. Train No. 16348 Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central Daily Express leaving Mangaluru Central, 14th April 2022 onwards will reach its destination Thiruvananthapuram Central at 04.10 hrs. .
2. Train No. 16350 Nilambur Road – Kochuveli Rajyarani Daily Express leaving Nilambur Road 14th April 2022 onwards will reach its destination Kochuveli at 05.30 hrs. .
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Ministry of Law and Justice
Settling of cases through Lok Adalat and Arbitration
It is the endeavour of the Government that judiciary and legislature work together for making reforms in the judicial system to reduce burden of cases and deliver speedy justice. The Government is promoting ADR mechanisms including arbitration and mediation as these mechanisms are less adversarial and are capable of providing a better substitute to the conventional methods of resolving disputes. The use of ADR mechanisms is also expected to reduce the burden on the judiciary and thereby enable timely justice dispensation to citizens of the country.
To ensure resolution of commercial disputes expeditiously and at a reasonable cost to litigants, the Government has enacted the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 thereby enabling establishment of commercial courts. The Commercial Courts Act, 2015 was amended in the year 2018 to provide for Pre-Institution Mediation and Settlement  mechanism. Under this mechanism, where a commercial dispute of specified value does not contemplate any urgent interim relief, the parties have to first exhaust the mandatory remedy of PIMS before approaching the Court. This is aimed at providing an opportunity to the parties to resolve the commercial disputes through mediation.
The Government has amended the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 in the years 2015, 2019 and 2021, to signal a paradigm shift towards ensuring timely conclusion of arbitration proceedings, minimizing judicial intervention in the arbitral process, enforcement of arbitral awards and strengthening of institutional arbitration in the country.
The Government has also introduced the Mediation Bill, 2021, in the Rajya Sabha on 20.12.2021 to enact a standalone law on Mediation. The Bill aims to inter-alia promote, encourage and facilitate mediation for resolution of disputes, commercial or otherwise, enforce mediation settlement agreements and to establish the Mediation Council of India.
This information was given by Minister for Law and Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
CELEBRATION of NATIONAL CONSTITUTION DAY at CVRDE
National Constitution Day was celebrated on 26/11/2022 at CVRDE to Commemorate the adoption of the constitution of India . A Special Lecture was delivered on this occasion by the Guest of Honour Shri. S. Prabhakaran, IRS, Deputy Commissioner  on the Topic “Constitution – A living Document”, followed by the Chief Guest address by Shri. AP Mahabarathi, IAS, Sub Collector, Thiruvallur who also spoke on the topic “Ideals of Indian Constitution. Shri. V. Balamurugan, Outstanding Scientist & Director CVRDE , Dr. V. Balaguru, Associate Director & other Senior Officers, Service Officers and Officers / Staff graced the occasion.
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Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds vaccination of 2 crore children in 15-18 age group
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has urged everyone to maintain the momentum of vaccination and has asked everyone to follow Covid appropriate protocol.
Quoting a tweet from the Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister said :
"Excellent! Well done my young friends.
Let us continue this momentum.
Urging everyone to follow all COVID-19 related protocols and get vaccinated, if you haven’t already."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 107.81 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 12.37 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,07,81,96,865
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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12,37,64,029
More than 107.81crore vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than12.37Cr balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Finance
Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman met UK Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Mary Elizabeth Truss
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman held a meeting with Rt Hon Mary Ms Elizabeth Truss, Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom here today.
The Finance Minister highlighted the close collaboration between the two countries strengthened through Comprehensive Strategic Partnership adopted by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Rt Hon Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of United Kingdom in May 2021. The meeting covered the economic reforms ushered in by India as well as the key economic measures underway in the United Kingdom. Investments in green energy, infrastructure, National Monetization Pipeline, FinTech and IFSCA were identified as key areas of collaboration between the two countries.
Ms Truss, highlighted the strong potential for greater investments by UK in India. She evinced interest in the National Monetization Pipeline as an important area to harness closer collaboration between the two countries.
The meeting ended on a constructive note with expectations of strong and enhanced cooperation between India and United Kingdom.
Ministry of Finance
Monthly Review of Accounts of Union Government of India upto the month of February 2022 for the Financial Year 2021-22
The Monthly Account of the Union Government of India upto the month of February, 2022 has been consolidated and reports published. The highlights are given below:-
The Government of India has received Rs.18,27,280 crore  upto February, 2022 comprising Rs.14,80,886 crore Tax Revenue , Rs. 3,10,131 crore of Non-Tax Revenue and Rs.36,263 crore of Non Debt Capital Receipts. Non-Debt Capital Receipts consists of Recovery of Loans Rs.22,749 crore and Miscellaneous Capital Receipts of Rs. 13,514 crore. Rs.7,87,822 crore has been transferred to State Governments as Devolution of Share of Taxes by Government of India upto February, 2022.
Total Expenditure incurred by Government of India is Rs.31,43,875 crore , out of which Rs.26,58,694 crore is on Revenue Account and Rs.4,85,181 crore is on Capital Account. Out of the Total Revenue Expenditure, Rs.6,70,501 crore is on account of Interest Payments and Rs.3,82,161 crore is on account of Major Subsidies.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds completion of the Bihar portion of the Barauni Guwahati pipeline which connects Bihar to National Gas Grid
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the completion of the Bihar portion of the Barauni Guwahati pipeline which connects Bihar to National Gas Grid under Pradhanmantri Urja Ganga Project.
Sharing a tweet by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Prime Minister said;
“This will greatly add to Bihar's progress.”
Election Commission
Bye Election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council by the members of Legislative Assembly  – reg.
There is a casual vacancy in the Maharashtra Legislative Council to be filled up by the members of Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra. The details of the vacancy are as follows:
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S.No.
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Name of Member
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Nature of election
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Date & Cause of vacancy
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Term upto
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1.
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Sh. Sharad Namdeo Ranpise
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By MLAs
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23.09.2021
Death
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27.07.2024
2. The Commission has decided to hold a bye-election to the Maharashtra Legislative Council by the members of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra to fill the above mentioned vacancy as per the following schedule:
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S. No
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Events
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Dates
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Issue of Notifications
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09th November, 2021 
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Last date of making nominations
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16th November, 2021 
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Scrutiny of nominations
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17th November, 2021 
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Last date for withdrawal of candidatures
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22nd November, 2021 
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Date of Poll
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29th November, 2021 
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Hours of Poll
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09:00 am to 04:00 pm
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Counting of Votes
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29th November, 2021  at 05:00 pm
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Date before which election shall be completed
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01st December, 2021 
3. Broad Guidelines of Covid-19 as already issued by ECI as well as the recent guidelines issued by ECI as contained in para 06 of Press Note dated 28.09.2021 available at link https://eci.gov.in/candidate-political-parties/instructions-on-covid-19/. to be followed, wherever applicable, during entire election process for all persons.
4. The Chief Secretary, Maharashtra is being directed to depute a senior officer from the State to ensure that the extant instructions regarding COVID-19 containment measures are complied with while making arrangements for conducting the election.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram
The Scheme Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram  is an ongoing Central Sector Scheme which was formulated, as an umbrella scheme, in rationalization exercise undertaken on recommendation of Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on HRD and in consultation with Ministry of Finance and NITI Aayog. The Objective was that the merger of the schemes under an umbrella scheme would effectively leverage the administrative structure of the scheme for effective implementation of the programmes. The budget allocation of the scheme RYSK for the year 2020-21 is Rs.486.48 Crores. The 7 sub-schemes under scheme RYSK are:
1. Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
2. National Youth Corps.
3. National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development.
4. International Cooperation.
5. Youth Hostels.
6. Assistance to Scouting and Guiding Organisations.
7. National Young Leaders Programme.
This information was given by Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Centre launches sale of chana dal as ‘Bharat Dal’ in retail packs of Rs.60 per kg and Rs.55 per kg for 30 kg pack
Bharat Dal is being distributed through retail outlets of NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal
The Government launched the sale of chana dal in retail packs under the brand name of Bharat Dal on 17.07.2023 at highly subsidized rates of Rs.60 per kg for 1 kg pack and Rs.55 per kg for 30 kg pack in order to make pulses available to consumers at affordable prices. Bharat Dal is being distributed through retail outlets of NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and Safal. The chana dal, under this arrangement, is also made available to state governments for supplies under their welfare schemes, police, jails, and also for distribution through the retail outlets of state government controlled cooperatives and corporations.
In order to make pulses available to consumers at affordable prices, the Government maintains buffer stock of five major pulses, namely, chana, tur, urad, moong and masur under the Price Stabilisation Fund . The stocks from the buffer are released in the market in a calibrated and targeted manner to control prices. The disposal of tur from the PSF buffer is underway in a targeted and calibrated manner to augment the availability of stocks for milling into tur dal for the consumers. Stocks of chana and moong from the Price Support Scheme  and PSF buffer are continuously released in the market to moderate prices. Apart from market disposal, pulses from the buffer are also being supplied to the states for their welfare schemes, and to the Army and Central Armed Police Forces.
To augment domestic availability and moderate the prices of pulses, import of tur and urad have been kept under 'Free Category' till 31.03.2024 and import duty on masur has been reduced to zero till 31.03.2024. Import duty of 10% on tur has been removed to facilitate smooth and seamless imports.To prevent hoarding, stock limits has been imposed on tur and urad under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 on 2ndJune, 2023 for a period till 31stOctober, 2023. Stock of pulses held by entities such as dealers, importers, millers and traders are continuously monitored through the online stock monitoring portal of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply today in the Lok Sabha.